On World Mental Health Day, Nadda unveils Tele MANAS app upgrades, names Deepika Padukone mental health ambassador

New Delhi, October 10 — Marking World Mental Health Day 2025, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Friday launched a suite of upgrades to the National Tele Mental Health Programme’s Tele MANAS app and said actor Deepika Padukone has been designated as a Mental Health Ambassador to promote awareness of available services.

The enhancements include a multilingual interface, an accessibility overhaul, a new chatbot and an emergency response module. The app will now be available in 10 regional languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia and Punjabi — in addition to English and Hindi.

Officials said the added accessibility features are designed to make the interface more user-friendly for visually impaired users. A chatbot, Asmi, has been introduced to help users seek information or guidance, while emergency response content aims to provide timely support during crises.

“A sound mind leads to a sound body, and a healthy mind and a healthy body lead to a healthy nation,” Nadda said at the launch, adding that India is committed to equitable, affordable and inclusive access to mental health services.

He said the new features strengthen preparedness for mental health emergencies and extend the reach of digital innovations “to every corner of the country,” while efforts to normalise conversations around mental health are intended to reduce stigma and affirm it as a core public health priority.

Nadda highlighted the programme’s reach, stating that since its inception Tele MANAS has handled around 28 lakh calls, with trained counsellors engaging in more than 20 different languages. About 4,000 people seek support each day, he said, noting that the almost equal number of men and women contacting the service suggests growing awareness across groups.

He also said the Tele MANAS mobile app allows people across India to receive help anytime, anywhere. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said mental health is a special focus of this year’s United Nations theme and noted that India’s digital health initiatives, including Tele MANAS, are aimed at achieving universal health coverage.

She said timely, professional and empathetic care through the app can help prevent self‑destructive behaviour and reduce stigma, and urged stakeholders to share feedback on the enhanced application so that any issues can be addressed promptly by the NIMHANS team.

Dr Pratima Murthy, Director and Senior Professor of Psychiatry at NIMHANS, said the expansion will help Tele MANAS cover a larger segment of people and enhance accessibility. Officials indicated that user feedback will inform future improvements as the programme scales.